Twenty-seventh Edition: Startup Iowa Hot List
Meet the startups to support and watch in Iowa + beyond
Every month, I write a newsletter for Iowa entrepreneurs to get more connected to the strong networks of support in the Midwest (and beyond). Investors, entrepreneurs, mentors, corporate leaders, economic developers, researchers, and educators in and outside Iowa can dial in on the startup activity happening across the state while finding the next business to support.
Welcome to the 29 new Startup Iowa Hot List members who have joined us since the last edition. Join 788 intelligent, curious, and supportive startup champions by subscribing below.
Remembering Jay Byers
As I remember Jay, it was four years ago last week that he hired me at the Greater Des Moines Partnership. We walked to Court Ave Brewery for lunch on my first day, and it wasn’t lost on me how many stopped to talk to him in the downtown skywalk that day. He was like the mayor! Or even better, a rockstar living in a dapper suit and bowtie! We finally sat down and grabbed a meal together. Jay described to me the job duties. It was just one: To think BIG.
For some, the little direction given would have frightened them! But to me, he offered something quite special. It was Belief. My ideas were welcomed, and he would do whatever he could to support them and me.
Jay was fiercely passionate about supporting the entrepreneurship and innovation community. How rare is it to have the head of economic & community development in the region sit in on hundreds of coffee chats and events showcasing a new entrepreneur, usually in the earliest days of their business infancy! Jay’s presence alone showed many that our city cared about entrepreneurs and creatives, in what can be an already lonely career path.
Jay was a natural instigator and influencer. He offered his network and name to make way for new startup initiatives in Des Moines. The Global Insurance Accelerator, Global Insurance Symposium, Startup City DSM, the AgriTech Accelerator, Techstars Iowa, 1 Million Cups, and many more. You could call it the “one degree of Jay.” If you didn’t know the decision-maker, funder, or company to pitch your idea, event, accelerator program, fund, or company to, Jay would know who and gladly make the introduction. And without a doubt, he would be your first supporter.
It’s why Des Moines has such a can-do spirit. Jay modeled it.
Knowing Jay, he would want us to continue to push the limits of what is possible. “What’s the next big thing for Des Moines?” he would often plant in our conversations together. Now, it’s time for all of us to ask the questions related to each of our communities and carry his passion, problem-solving, and legacy forward.
I feel so incredibly lucky to have had Jay in my corner, betting on entrepreneurs, and daring all of us to think a little bigger. He cheered us on, lifted us up, and was the mirror myself and so many who knew him needed. His mirror of sheer belief in every person he met.
The world is better because of Jay Byers.
Take the time to read other tributes to Jay’s legacy: Tej Dhawan, Kyle Munson, Suzanna de Baca, The Des Moines Register, and Business Record. The “believe” photo of Jay will be printed and framed as my daily reminder.
Actively Raising
🚀Repaint Studios
Highlights: Repaint Studios is a certified woman-owned business committed to reducing the environmental impact of the home improvement and painting industry by creating reusable and eco-friendly painting supplies. The reusable paint tray, liner, and lid provide DIYers with easy cleanup and no waste. The paint tray recently earned its spot in Popular Mechanics’ Gear of the Year 2025 list.
Raising: $1M | HQ: Hampton, Iowa
Contact: Billie Asmus, billie@repaintstudios.com + Website
🚀PV Pallet
Highlights: PVpallet’s mission is to promote a circular economy within the solar shipping and packaging industry. They build innovative shipping and packaging products that reduce waste, promote reusability, and improve lifecycle economics. The company is now expanding into other markets with the e-commerce site PalletsAndBins.com and custom packaging design services.
Raising: $3.5M | HQ: Montrose, Iowa
Contact: Philip Schwarz, pschwarz@pvpallet.com + Website
🚀LSF Medical Solutions
Highlights: LSF Medical Solutions is the developer of Pneumero, a remote handheld lung health monitor designed to improve the outcomes of patients with chronic lung disease. With a mission to reduce urgent care, emergency room, and intensive care treatments as the primary method of getting well, they believe more frequent monitoring improves patient outcomes and reduces costs.
Raising: $250,000 | HQ: Iowa City, Iowa
Contact: Melissa Bates, melissabates@lsfmedicalsolutions.com + Website
🚀 Iowa’s First Women’s Sports Bar
Highlights: The dreamers behind Iowa’s First Women’s Sports Bar are working to create an inclusive, family-friendly space that welcomes everyone who loves or wants to discover women's sports. The team is currently searching for a location and is using crowdfunding and seeking private investment to help close the financing gap.
Raising: $20,000 | HQ: Greater Des Moines, Iowa
Contact: Ash Mclain, ash.mclame@gmail.com + Crowdfunding Website
🚀Want to be featured? Looking for more Iowa businesses for investment?
For a list of more startups actively raising (that may not appear in this newsletter) or to be featured in the next edition, reach out!
Have you missed a monthly digest? Check out the Startup Iowa Hot List archives for companies raising here.
State Funding Announcements
Iowa Economic Development Authority announced four startups that received financial assistance, including:
Poultry Patrol (Coralville) awarded $50,000 for Proof of Commercial Relevance
Better Natural (Fairfield) awarded $50,000 for Proof of Commercial Relevance
Janas Materials (Ames) awarded $100,000 for the Demonstration Fund
Mod Advisor (Clive) awarded $250,000 for Innovation Acceleration Launch Fund
Applications are open for businesses!
Cultivator Grant for agriculture & food startups
Funded by Ag Startup Engine, this program empowers agriculture and food startups with grants of up to $2,000, giving entrepreneurs the boost needed to move their ideas forward. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Dallas County Small Business Grant Fund
The Greater Dallas County Development Alliance is offering a $10,000 annual grant fund to support small businesses located within the county. Find out if your business is eligible to apply here.
Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge
The nationwide business competition provides funding for startups developing innovative solutions that address agricultural challenges facing farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. The deadline to apply is June 9.
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses
The statewide entrepreneur program provides business education for existing small business owners to take their business to the next level and develop an actionable growth plan. The deadline for the upcoming fall program is May 23.
Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition
The pitch competition hosted by the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers is open for early-stage Iowa companies. Winners receive up to $40,000 for their business venture, with a total of over $100k in funding to be awarded.
Upcoming Events
Support and show up, as there are many great community organizers behind these events. See something missing? Please share it for the next edition.
📅 April 30 - Business Transition Planning Workshop (Virtual)
📅 May 1 - Contracting Opportunity for Small Business (Indianola)
📅 May 1 - Raising Capital for Startups (Des Moines)
📅 May 1 - dsmHack: Charity Hackathon (West Des Moines)
📅 May 2 - Women’s Entrepreneurship Lunch (Iowa City)
📅 May 8-9- AngelFest (Minneapolis, MN)
📅 May 20 - ISU Startup Factory Demo Day (Ames)
📅 May 22 - Central Iowa Business Conference (Altoona)
📅 June 5-6 - Business Owner Summer Summit (Panora)
📅 June 12-13- EntreFEST (Cedar Rapids)
📅 July 11- Startup Weekend Iowa City (Iowa City)
Story + Sound Bites
💡Algae: A cell pulls off one of the ‘Holy Grails’ of biotechnology (NPR)
✏️ Is Downtown Des Moines Back? (Rick Jost, Biz Whispers Substack)
✏️ How One Iowan Quit His Job to Make the Perfect Putter (Maxwell Schaeffer’s Substack)
🗞️The catalyst of 80/35 (Business Record)
🗞️Pitch Competition Winners for Athene Black & Brown Business Summit (West Des Moines Chamber)
🗞️NIACC Pappajohn Center hosts 2nd Annual Iowa Student Entrepreneurship Summit (NIACC Pappajohn)
What’s in a name? The Startup Iowa Hot List is specially curated with a rush of urgency to read just before the news cools. See a company you are interested in helping? Please act and support entrepreneurs who may be featured on this list and those close by, impacting our local communities and neighborhoods.
Entrepreneurship has always been a community sport.
The Startup Iowa Hot List is produced by the Greater Des Moines Partnership.
Want to be featured in the next Startup Iowa Hot List? Reach out to Diana at dwright@dsmpartnership.com.